Influence of weather and climate variability on the incidence of groundnut thrips across five agro climatic zones of India: A decadal analysis

Abstract

Population dynamics and damage levels of insects on crop is influenced by changing weather patterns and variability in climate over short and long scales of time. Temporal changes in abundance and infestation of thrips (Thripidae: Thysonoptera) over six seasons at five groundnut growing agro ecologies of India were related to changing weather and climatic variability in addition to deducing future status of thrips. The Onset of thrips abundance (nos/three leaves/plant) and infestation (%) over crop seasons varied spatially. Thrips abundance and infestation compared for crop seasons (2011-20) showed significant inter seasonal differences within locations for seasons. Lower abundance and infestation at Junagadh (Gujarat) and Virudhachalam (Tamil Nadu) over Dharwad (Karnataka), Jalgaon (Maharashtra) and Kadiri (Andhra Pradesh) were noted. Statistical comparisons of seasonal weather, climatic deviations and magnitude of temperature and rainfall indicated within and between seasonal as w ell as spatially differing variability. All significant associations of climatic deviations with thrips dynamics were positive and increased thrips infestation was predicted for 2050 and 2080 at Junagadh. At least one or more changing climatic variables had positive significance with either thrips abundance or infestation at each study location and it is needful to practice relevant thrips management studying at local levels. Projected increased thrips infestation at Junagadh for future periods sets the research agenda for development of resistant cultivars and adjustments in a local cropping system.